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Chew on This: Dogs Get the Boot From Tunnel Field

June 16, 2026

Maroon sign on a lawn that reads Tunnel Field. — Dogs have been banned from Knowlton’s Tunnel Field. Photo by Joe Phalon.

How much is that doggie in the park? In Knowlton a canine in a town park could cost up to $200.

The township committee earlier this month passed an ordinance that would prohibit all dogs—leashed or unleashed—in all municipal parks, which in this case is directed toward Tunnel Field, the only municipal parkland in Knowlton.

To ensure no ambiguity, the ordinance forbids all dogs regardless of registration standing, restraint status, pedigree and adorability. The only exception is for service dogs accompanying a person with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

There was a bit of ambiguity regarding enforcement of the ordinance. As originally introduced, the township recreation director, zoning officer and police departments would be authorized to eject people with dogs from the park.

Township attorney Tara St. Angelo said that after speaking with township zoning officer George Boesze, she was recommending that the township animal control officer also be empowered to enforce the ordinance, particularly since the position already authorizes the police to issue summonses.

Sign in a park next to basketball hoop reads NO PETS. — While this sign may have been merely a suggestion before this month, a new township ordinance gives it some teeth. At least as it applies dogs. Photo by Joe Phalon.

“Logistically, he doesn’t think he would be here in the township to respond to calls like that,” St. Angelo said. Knowlton shares its zoning officer with several neighboring municipalities.

St. Angelo added that the amendment to the ordinance did not constitute a substantive change and the committee would not be required to hold a follow-up hearing.

Mayor Debra Shipps pointed to several instances of unleashed dogs that caused problems at Tunnel Field including the township receiving multiple calls involving about 30 loose K9 trainee dogs. She said the trainers were firing cap guns as part of the training.

She added that unleashed dogs have disrupted soccer games.

“The dogs are running without leashes and there’s soccer games, and the dogs are chasing the soccer balls,” Shipps said. “Then it becomes an issue.”

Committee member James Mazza objected to the ordinance, saying “Dogs can be on a leash. They are part of the family.”

He said a leashed dog should present few problems for the park and its visitors, and that responsible dog owners should not be penalized because of violators.

Shipps said the township’s insurance carrier has been urging the committee to adopt this ordinance for several years.

“This was recommended by our insurance company years ago,” Shipps said.

“So it’s about insurance,” Mazza responded.

Somewhat surprisingly, no one from the public had anything to say about the new dog rules during the public comment portion of the adoption.

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.